Social media and health - Twitter feeds were faster than traditional sources in tracking cholera in post-earthquake Haiti

Twitter feeds and internet-based news were faster than traditional sources at detecting the onset and progression of the cholera epidemic in post-earthquake Haiti, according to a new study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation).

An AJTMH press release states "The study is the first to demonstrate the use of data from 'informal' media sources in monitoring an outbreak of a neglected tropical disease in a resource-limited setting, and shows that these sources can yield reliable decision-making data during deadly disease outbreaks almost in real-time, often far earlier than traditional surveillance methods that include surveys of hospitals and health clinics."

This study highlights the potential value of social media for m-health and disease control.